Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Lopsided Plus 4, weak rear spring?

My 2013 +4 has always looked a little lower on the offside rear but I put that down to handmade panels not always being perfectly symmetrical but yesterday I got the ruler out and discovered the offside rear chassis rail is a good 20mm nearer the floor than the nearside rail. The offside wing is also 20mm closer to the tyre. Before you say it's my incredible bulk that's broken it I weigh 13 stones.

I thought I read a post about duff springs some time ago but I cant find it now. Is there an issue with some springs? I'm off to the factory for a service in a couple of weeks but I want to go armed so as not to be fobbed off with "they all do that sir".

Any help or information gratefully received. Thanks Rick

There is a very big problem with rear springs. I am on my third set with my 2011 4/4. Mine leaned 35 mm to the off side brand new. We have had a number of similar cases here.

Get in contact with your Morgan dealer - they are very familar with the problem. It will be fixed under warranty if it is the same problem.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your problem, but as OZ says there's quite a bit on hear about the issue.

Look forward to hearing about how its been fixed.

R.

Had the same problem on my 08 4 seater and that took 3 sets from MMC to get it anything like level and even then it sagged again, then the MMC changed suppliers and it was much better after that (4th set). The trick was to get the latest spec from the factory not old stock, they should all be good now. I then changed to a 2008 2 seater and that was low on the back so I fitted the latest 4 leaf springs but went to 4 seater as they have a different set and I am not exactly a lightweight, I also often carry luggage and use the car for holidays. I asked Peter Mulberry about this idea first and he confirmed he knew of 3 German Morgan owners who had also fitted 4 seater springs to a 2 seat car with great results. I had a concern the car would sit over high at the back but it does not and measuring the rear ride height compared with 2 new 2 seaters at a dealership mine was within 10mm. They have been on for 18 months now and give a very nice ride without any bounce. I run Koni Classics all round on the lowest setting.

The new Suplex rear springs should be available soon. They will be the usual Suplex high quality and should give no problems plus the benefit of a better resistance to axle tramp.

Thanks for all the useful info guys. I'll update this post in a couple of weeks.

I had a rear offside spring shear at the forward hanger on my 2011 Roadster. Fixed as a warranty.

Andy

The rear end of my 1988 +8 has always been lower than others of same model & year. As I have to cope with ferry ramps again shortly, does anyone have thoughts about either what standard ground clearance at rear end should be, or (and) what's best option for spring replacement on a trad +8?

One way to check for lopsided or equal sag at the rear is to check the vertical clearance between the underside of the axle and the chassis cutaway where the rubber rebound stop is. Do it on flat level ground and note that with the car stationary the front suspension will significantly control roll attitude, so make sure the front suspension is at the same height both sides by checking the length of the rebound springs at static ride height.

OK this clearance varies between models and years, but if it is much more than around 30mm unladen then the chances are that the springs have sagged. You will get a good idea with the two finger in the gap trick, is that a rule of thumb? Regards PJB.

Hum ... I need to check this, a while ago I was checking the car and I remember thinking the right hand side rear was a litle bit lower than the left hand side rear of the car (not sure what you guys call "offside" and "nearside" so I'll use left and right). I assumed it was just the car's positioning and maybe it was (not a perfectly leveled ground), but now, and after my 180º last year, I think I'll look into it more carefully.

Things I learn about in Talk Morgan , I really can't stress how valuable this forum is for someone that lives outside of the UK and cares for his own Morgan all by himself.